Los Angeles Lakers' Pau Gasol has Big Game for Typhoon Relief

By Ian Meredith

Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers starting center Pau Gasol continues to be one of the most charitable professional athletes in the world as he put up a big game and a big donation to UNICEF and their disaster relief for typhoon victims in the Philippines. Gasol vowed to donate $1000 for every point he scored to UNICEF and then he went out and had one of his best games of the year so far as the Lakers trounced the injury depleted Golden State Warriors. The Spaniard put up 24 points, equaling out a $24,000 donation to a wonderful cause.

Gasol got off to a slow start with too many thoughts in his mind after learning before the game that his brother, Marc Gasol, had had a possibly season-ending knee injury and having to step up and have a big game for charity. Per usual, the Spaniard was able to turn his game around and heat up his shot on his way to help out a cause in need, as he has so many times before.

In a day and age of professional athletes being fined 10s of thousands of dollars on a regular basis for improper conduct and foul play, it is nice to hear a story about an athlete who’s $25,000 went to a good cause, instead of the league office. Gasol has always been one of the “good guys” and it is a positive sign for the Lakers that recently he has stepped his game up after appearing lost on the court to start the season.

Former Lakers Coach Phil Jackson also agreed to pledge $50 per points, $50 per rebound and $1000 per charge.